Louisville vs. Alabama Set for 8:00 p.m. Kickoff on ABC

The University of Louisville football’s season opener against Alabama in the 2018 Camping World Kickoff Game has been scheduled for an 8 p.m. ET start on ABC, the Atlantic Coast Conference announced on Wednesday morning.

The Cardinals and Crimson Tide are scheduled to face off at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Fla., onSaturday, Sept. 1 – the first time in school history the Cardinals will open the season against the defending national champions.

Louisville and Alabama will meet for the fourth time in program history, with the Crimson Tide holding a 2-1 advantage in the series. The last pairing came on Jan. 1, 1991 with the Cardinals claiming a 34-7 win in the Fiesta Bowl in Tempe, Ariz. Alabama defeated the Cardinals in consecutive home games – winning 24-3 in 1976 and 55-6 in 1977.

The Cardinals returns 15 starters from last season’s 8-5 team, highlighted by wide receiver Jaylen Smith, who led the Cardinals with 60 receptions for 980 yards and seven touchdowns. Defensive end Jonathan Greenard returns on defense after totaling a team-high 15.5 tackles for loss and equaling the team lead with 7.0 sacks.

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